HEALTH ISSUES OUTLINE - Key

Causes / Symptoms / High Risk / Prevention
Anemia
/ There is a severe depletion of iron stores resulting in low blood hemoglobin / Person is weak and tired. Their mental state is affected.
Loss of blood creates a loss of iron. / Menstruating females are at higher risk / Meat is an excellent source of iron
Not all ingested iron is absorbed; vitamin C helps to absorb iron when taken together.
Fortified cereals have iron added
Colorectal Cancer
(Colon Cancer)
/ Heredity
Not enough fiber in the diet. / One of the top causes of cancer deaths in the U.S. / Fiber helps food move through large intestine / Diets should consist of 20 - 35 grams of fiber a day
Fiber helps food move through large intestine
Good sources of fiber include fruits, whole grains, vegetables
Insoluble fiber significantly inhibits the development of precancerous
colon and rectal polyps
Diabetes
/ Diabetes affects the body’s production and use of insulin - making blood glucose levels abnormally high
Insulin is a hormone produced in the body. / Excessive urination and thirst
Weight loss with nausea, easy tiring, weakness, irritability
cravings for food; especially sweets
vision disturbance; blurred vision
slow healing of cuts and bruises. / Many people have a genetic predisposition to acquiring the disease. / Maintaining a healthy body weight helps to prevent hyperglycemia.
Causes / Symptoms / High Risk / Prevention
Heart Disease
/ Plaque forms along the inner walls of the arteries / Severe pain in the left arm and chest proceed a heart attack.
Overweight
Low exercise / factors increasing the risk:
genetics, age, high-fat diet (high blood cholesterol), lack of exercise, stress, smoking and tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, low fiber intake, low vitamin/mineral intake / Decrease consumption of foods high in saturated fats and sodium
High sodium/salt foods - onion rings, pickles, french fries, potato chips, some soft drinks
Osteoporosis
/ Bones become porous and fragile due to the lack of calcium
Bone density is developed during the first 25 years of life. After age 25, calcium consumption helps to maintain the existing bone density / Curving of the spine. Bones become porous. Bones break very easily. / A condition manifested in older adults; females at higher risk / Recommended daily fluid milk intake
children - 2 cups adolescents - 4 cups adults - 2 cups